Legal, recreational-use marijuana sales boomed across the United States in 2021, reaching new levels in nearly a dozen states.
Nationwide, those sales generated more than $3 billion in tax revenue for 11 states, including California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan and Nevada. That's higher than the $2.7 billion collected from the 10 states that allowed recreational marijuana sales in 2020, according to a report from the Marijuana Policy Project.
"Democrats, including President Biden when he was on the campaign trail, have been clear in their support for cannabis reform, and voters listened. Whether it’s full legalization in 2022, or simply the ability for cannabis businesses to get a bank or get tax relief, we expect to see cannabis reform because that is exactly what we were told," said Toi Hutchinson, MPP's President and CEO.
"Chambers’ ad, titled “37 Seconds,” refers to an estimate by the Marijuana Policy Project in 2009 that said a pot-related arrest was made every 37 seconds. (The MPP’s site now states that the figure is closer to every 58 seconds, which doesn’t change Chambers’ sentiment.)"
"Children’s exposure to cannabis products — particularly edibles — a lot of that, we believe, stems from a lack of education in terms of educating parents on how to best protect their kids from marijuana products they may have around the house," said DeVaughn Ward, MPP's senior legislative counsel.
"I look forward to seeing when the growers start producing more strains for patients. At this point, the price point is too high for the vast majority of poor and working-class Louisianans," said Kevin Caldwell, MPP's Southeast legislative manager.
"Big picture, 2022 could be a record-breaking year for legalization and medicinal cannabis, both in state legislatures and on the ballot," said Karen O’Keefe, MPP's director of state policies.
"We certainly hope that this action is just making sure that this bill meets any concerns that Senate leadership may have concerning this historic legislation. This bill had widespread bipartisan support in the House last session. We hope Senate President Masterson quickly holds a committee hearing and advances this legislation," said Kevin Caldwell, MPP's Southeast legislative manager.
"We’re excited about the prospects for legalization in Delaware this year. Delawareans have long supported ending prohibition, but it is up to the legislature to bring equitable legalization to Delaware. HB 305 is the vehicle to get it done this year," said Olivia Naugle, MPP's senior policy analyst.